46 CFR § 169.618 - General.

(a) Each vessel must have an effective steering system.

(b) The steering system must be designed to withstand all anticipated loading while under sail, including shocks to the rudder. Additionally, the steering system on vessels with an auxiliary means of propulsion must not be susceptible to damage or jamming at the vessel's maximum astern speed.

(c) The main steering gear must be capable of moving the rudder from hard-over to hard-over at an average rate of not less than 2 1/3° per second with the vessel at design service speed (ahead).